Actress Fatima Sana Shaikh addresses the pervasive sexism and patriarchal attitudes in the film industry, emphasizing the need for women to assert their voices in a deeply ingrained system.
MUMBAI—Actress Fatima Sana Shaikh has openly discussed the challenges of sexism and the entrenched patriarchal attitudes prevalent in the film industry. During the trailer launch of her upcoming film, Hunkkaar—The Roar, she highlighted the struggles women face in making their voices heard amidst societal conditioning.
Shaikh emphasized that the issue of patriarchy cannot be attributed solely to men. She pointed out that women also play a role in perpetuating a system that has become deeply ingrained in society.
“Patriarchy is not only the fault of men. There are also women in it. They are also included. It internalizes. And we are all born in the same conditioning. And we have to fight it,” she stated, acknowledging the complexity of the issue.
Reflecting on her experiences, Shaikh recounted instances where she found herself in meetings discussing stories about women striving to find their voices, only to realize she was often the only woman present.
<p“Even I have been in such rooms, where you go to a room, the producer tells you that this is a mind-blowing film for you. Then, the role is of a woman who is trying to find a voice,” she explained, highlighting the irony of discussing women’s experiences in spaces where their perspectives are often overlooked.
She further elaborated on the challenges of being the sole woman in such discussions, noting, “The irony is that when you try to say something, she won’t appreciate it. She can’t handle it. And then, she will make weird jokes, or she will mansplain. Because she will tell us how women feel when there is a violent crime. She will tell us that actually, it’s not that bad. It’s like this.”
In light of these experiences, Shaikh emphasized the importance of self-advocacy, stating that women must learn to stand up for themselves and fight against these ingrained attitudes.
In her upcoming film, Hunkkaar—The Roar, Fatima Sana Shaikh takes on the role of a no-nonsense police officer. The film is set to stream on JioHotstar starting September 25.
According to IANS, Shaikh’s comments shed light on the ongoing struggle for gender equality within the film industry, encouraging a broader conversation about the need for change.